Aggies rebuild their offensive line after NFL departures, targeting transfer portal talent to reignite their dominant ground game.
The Texas A&M Aggies are coming off their best season in 30 years after posting an 11-2 record and earning a playoff berth.
The Aggies reeled off 11 straight victories before running out of gas in the final two games against in-state rival Texas and the Miami Hurricanes in the first round of the College Football Playoff.
This success was achieved by deploying a rushing attack that gained 2,400 yards and scored 28 touchdowns. The Aggies averaged 4.82 yards per carry, which was good enough for No. 3 in the SEC.
The running game was the beneficiary of a hard-working and experienced offensive line.
But one cannot appreciate great success and victory without facing adversity and disappointment. That disappointment manifested into poor performance late in the season, and the loss of experience and depth within this unit.
Th offensive line struggled when it counted the most in the home playoff game vs Miami. The Aggies rushed for only 89 yards and averaged just 2.54 yards per carry. They also allowed quarterback Marcel Reed to be sacked seven times.
A point of concern is the Aggies will return just one veteran from this position group, as four starters have declared for the NFL Draft: Trey Zuhn, Chase Bisontis, Ar’maj Reed-Adams and Dametreous Crownover.
That lone starter is Mark Nabou, who will anchor the line from his center position. That bodes well for Reed from the standpoint of a solid quarterback/center exchange. Nabou has logged 24 starts during his time in College Station.
To combat these personnel losses, coach Mike Elko went out and found some talented replacements in the transfer portal:
- Tyree Adams (6-7, 310 pounds), LSU
- Coen Echols (6-4, 315 pounds), LSU
- Trovon Baugh (6-3, 337), South Carolina
- Wilkin Formby (6-7, 324), Alabama
Adams and Echols have a combined 16 starts, and Echols can play both right guard and center. Baugh started 20 games for the Gamecocks.
Formby started 13 games for the Crimson Tide and can play both right tackle and right guard. The Aggies will benefit from game experience and versatility with these new teammates.
This revamped offensive line will block for running back Rueben Owens II and Reed, who combined for 1,122 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns.
Run blocking is an area that Adams, Echols, Baugh and Formby must show improvement in prior to next season. All four transfers excel in pass blocking.
Rebuilding the offensive line is common and, in this case, necessary.
The Aggies will be talented offensively once again, and the offensive line will be a major part of what could be a successful 2026 campaign.